Holiday & Winter Seasonal Craft Beer Tasting - Dec., 2012

For December's Craft Beer Tasting we will be tasting Winter Warmers, Winter Seasonal Ales & Holiday Ales. That will include all holiday ales, such as Christmas ales, winter warmers and any other craft beer that is released by a craft brewery specifically for winter. Drink it and tell us what you though of it.

The 2012 Wreck The Halls Hoppy Holiday Ale, an American IPA and Winter Warmer hybrid brew, from Full Sail Brewing Company in Hood River, Oregon pours out a golden-brown in color with some amber hues and a little sediment and cloud. The beer is topped with a two finger, off-white, tightly knit head that slowly reduces down to a thick film with a good sized collar. On the nose, a nice amount of malt shines with an abundance of hops. Aromas of treacle, caramel, pine, citrus, spice and some dark fruit. In the mouth, there is a solid malt presence but the hops still make themselves known. Flavors of citrus rind, pine, spice and fruit with a solid underlying sweetness of treacle and caramel. Well carbonated. Medium bodied. Oily, slightly sticky mouthfeel. Thick sheets of lacing on the glass. The finish is long and quite bitter with a little honey and peppery hop like flavor coming in right at the end.

Far from your typical holiday craft beer but one, as a hophead, I am very happy to see. While hoppy, this craft brew has wonderful balance and really incorporates the best of both the IPA and Winter Warmer styles. Solid malts and bold hops married in harmony. I look forward to this hoppy brew each and every year. Keep brewing the good brew Full Sail. Highly recommended.

Full Sail 2012 Wreck The Halls Hoppy Holiday Ale
Full Sail Brewing Co., Hood River, Oregon
22 ounce bottle, ABV 6.5%, IBU 68
The 2012 Wreck The Halls Hoppy Holiday Ale, an American IPA and Winter Warmer hybrid brew, from Full Sail Brewing Company in Hood River, Oregon pours out a golden-brown in color with some amber hues and a little sediment and cloud. The beer is topped with a two finger, off-white, tightly knit head that slowly reduces down to a thick film with a good sized collar. On the nose, a nice amount of malt shines with an abundance of hops. Aromas of treacle, caramel, pine, citrus, spice and some dark fruit. In the mouth, there is a solid malt presence but the hops still make themselves known. Flavors of citrus rind, pine, spice and fruit with a solid underlying sweetness of treacle and caramel. Well carbonated. Medium bodied. Oily, slightly sticky mouthfeel. Thick sheets of lacing on the glass. The finish is long and quite bitter with a little honey and peppery hop like flavor coming in right at the end.
Far from your typical holiday craft beer but one, as a hophead, I am very happy to see. While hoppy, this craft brew has wonderful balance and really incorporates the best of both the IPA and Winter Warmer styles. Solid malts and bold hops married in harmony. I look forward to this hoppy brew each and every year. Keep brewing the good brew Full Sail. Highly recommended.

The pour was a medium golden orange with a small (less than 1 finger) white fluffy head that quickly diminished, down to a very thin film and not so good runny lacing.

The aroma was of a light straw malt and a doughy horse blanket yeast with notes of citrus (orange), coriander, nutmeg and cinnamon.

The taste was lightly sweet and rather yeasty with a pronounced citrus note throughout, with the finish having a slight spiciness at the very end. The flavor lingered for an average time following the swallow, with a mild spicy yeast taste fading slowly from the taste buds.

Mouthfeel was just above light in body with a mildly dry texture and a medium carbonation.

Overall a decent enough brew that did posses a good drinkability, but was really nothing overly special as Witbier's go...

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Samuel Adams "White Christmas"
Boston Beer Company - Boston, Massachusetts USA
Witbier (ABV 5.8%) (IBU 8)
[Suggested Glassware: Weizen Glass]
Rating: 2.9/5.0
The pour was a medium golden orange with a small (less than 1 finger) white fluffy head that quickly diminished, down to a very thin film and not so good runny lacing.
The aroma was of a light straw malt and a doughy horse blanket yeast with notes of citrus (orange), coriander, nutmeg and cinnamon.
The taste was lightly sweet and rather yeasty with a pronounced citrus note throughout, with the finish having a slight spiciness at the very end. The flavor lingered for an average time following the swallow, with a mild spicy yeast taste fading slowly from the taste buds.
Mouthfeel was just above light in body with a mildly dry texture and a medium carbonation.
Overall a decent enough brew that did posses a good drinkability, but was really nothing overly special as Witbier's go...
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The Santa's Little Helper Imperial Stout from Port Brewing Company in San Marcos, California pours out pitch black in color with no light getting through and is topped with a large, mocha colored, frothy head that very slowly reduces down to a thick film with a large collar. On the nose, wonderful, robust roast grain aromas with licorice, coffee, dark, unsweetened chocolate and a hint of molasses. In the mouth, luxurious and coating with a velvety richness. Flavors of deeply roast grain, black coffee, a little fig, baker's chocolate, molasses and more roast grain. Full bodied. Good carbonation. Thick, almost solid, sheets of lacing on the glass. Chewy, thick, somewhat viscous mouthfeel. The finish is very long, dry and packed with coffee and roast grain flavors right to the end.

A wonderful, thick chewy, big Imperial Stout for a cold Winter's night. After a bottle of this Santa will not feel the chill on Christmas Eve when he is out delivering presents. Perfect for a for when you get home after a day out in the cold. Feel a little chill after a day of skiing? Have a Santa's Little Helper Imperial Stout and it will be gone. For those of us that like big, bold, bodacious, thick, chewy stouts, this one is a must try. Age some bottles too for next year and the years after. This will age well. Highly recommended.

Port Santa's Little Helper Imperial Stout
Port Brewing Co., San Marcos, CA
22 ounce bottle, 10.0% ABV, Bottled on 9/10/12
The Santa's Little Helper Imperial Stout from Port Brewing Company in San Marcos, California pours out pitch black in color with no light getting through and is topped with a large, mocha colored, frothy head that very slowly reduces down to a thick film with a large collar. On the nose, wonderful, robust roast grain aromas with licorice, coffee, dark, unsweetened chocolate and a hint of molasses. In the mouth, luxurious and coating with a velvety richness. Flavors of deeply roast grain, black coffee, a little fig, baker's chocolate, molasses and more roast grain. Full bodied. Good carbonation. Thick, almost solid, sheets of lacing on the glass. Chewy, thick, somewhat viscous mouthfeel. The finish is very long, dry and packed with coffee and roast grain flavors right to the end.
A wonderful, thick chewy, big Imperial Stout for a cold Winter's night. After a bottle of this Santa will not feel the chill on Christmas Eve when he is out delivering presents. Perfect for a for when you get home after a day out in the cold. Feel a little chill after a day of skiing? Have a Santa's Little Helper Imperial Stout and it will be gone. For those of us that like big, bold, bodacious, thick, chewy stouts, this one is a must try. Age some bottles too for next year and the years after. This will age well. Highly recommended.

The 25th Anniversary Jubelale Festive Winter Ale from Deschutes Brewery in Bend, Oregon pours out a dark ruby in color with good clarity and is topped with a large mocha colored head that slowly reduces down to a thin film with a good sized collar. On the nose, rich, malty and earthy. Aromas of earth, pear, toffee, a touch of warm spice and a waft of alcohol. In the mouth, quite malty like the nose but there is a lot of hoppy bitterness too. Flavors of toffee, earth, dark fruit, pear, some citrus and a little warm spice. Medium bodied. Well carbonated. Thick sheets of lacing on the glass. Light stickiness in the mouthfeel. The finish is long and, while somewhat sweet, there is a good amount of hop bitterness riding along almost all the way to the end where a pear skin like flavor finishes things off.

A wonderful winter ale. Enough malt and sweetness, to be in character with other winter brews, that is elevated by a heavy hand of hop bitterness that really works with the malt, rather than pushing it aside. Good balance and complexity make this craft beer from Deschutes a go to for the winter months. Highly recommended.

Deschutes Jubelale Festive Winter Ale (25th Anniversary)
Deschutes Brewery, Bend, OR
12 ounce bottle, 6.7% ABV, Best by 05/06/13
The 25th Anniversary Jubelale Festive Winter Ale from Deschutes Brewery in Bend, Oregon pours out a dark ruby in color with good clarity and is topped with a large mocha colored head that slowly reduces down to a thin film with a good sized collar. On the nose, rich, malty and earthy. Aromas of earth, pear, toffee, a touch of warm spice and a waft of alcohol. In the mouth, quite malty like the nose but there is a lot of hoppy bitterness too. Flavors of toffee, earth, dark fruit, pear, some citrus and a little warm spice. Medium bodied. Well carbonated. Thick sheets of lacing on the glass. Light stickiness in the mouthfeel. The finish is long and, while somewhat sweet, there is a good amount of hop bitterness riding along almost all the way to the end where a pear skin like flavor finishes things off.
A wonderful winter ale. Enough malt and sweetness, to be in character with other winter brews, that is elevated by a heavy hand of hop bitterness that really works with the malt, rather than pushing it aside. Good balance and complexity make this craft beer from Deschutes a go to for the winter months. Highly recommended.

The Christmas Ale from Breckenridge Brewery in Denver, Colorado pours out a dark amber in color with good clarity and is topped with a two finger, frothy, cream colored head that slowly reduces all the way down leaving a few splotches of foam and a medium sized collar. On the nose, spiced cookie, bread dough, fruit cake, brown sugar and dark fruits. In the mouth, coating with a nice sweetness that is cleaned up by spice and hops on the backend. Flavors of baked plum, sweet bread, brown sugar, some chocolate and winter spices. Medium bodied. Good carbonation. Fairly thick sheets of lacing on the glass. Slightly sticky mouthfeel. The finish has good length and the malts and sweetness really hang on almost the whole way through where the spice and a little hop bite take over.

A nice Christmas Ale that has wonderful flavor. Enough fruit and a strong malt back bone give this a nice level of sweetness. Pick some up; I think you'll like it. Recommended.

Breckenridge Christmas Ale
Breckenridge Brewery, Denver, CO
12 ounce bottle, 7.4% ABV, 22 IBU, Bottled on September 24, 2012 (date stamp reads 15/21/268/12/17:14/S - I am guessing 12 is for the year and 268 is for the day)
The Christmas Ale from Breckenridge Brewery in Denver, Colorado pours out a dark amber in color with good clarity and is topped with a two finger, frothy, cream colored head that slowly reduces all the way down leaving a few splotches of foam and a medium sized collar. On the nose, spiced cookie, bread dough, fruit cake, brown sugar and dark fruits. In the mouth, coating with a nice sweetness that is cleaned up by spice and hops on the backend. Flavors of baked plum, sweet bread, brown sugar, some chocolate and winter spices. Medium bodied. Good carbonation. Fairly thick sheets of lacing on the glass. Slightly sticky mouthfeel. The finish has good length and the malts and sweetness really hang on almost the whole way through where the spice and a little hop bite take over.
A nice Christmas Ale that has wonderful flavor. Enough fruit and a strong malt back bone give this a nice level of sweetness. Pick some up; I think you'll like it. Recommended.

The pour was a clear medium amber with a large (2-3 finger) white fluffy head that mostly diminished, down to a thin puddled layer of residue and small collar with fair streaky lacing.

The aroma was very mild of a light grain malt, mild pine hops and an earthy cobweb yeast with notes of caramel, dust, a light spiciness and a just a very light hint of spruce tips.

The taste was a bit malty with a light caramel sweetness from the get go, and then became a tad bitter with a mild hoppy presence and a spicy wood taste towards the end. The flavor lasted an average time proceeding the swallow with a slightly bitter woody taste left behind to linger in the taste buds.

Mouthfeel was a little beyond light in body and dry in texture with a carbonation that was just past soft in intensity.

Overall this brew did not have a strong spruce presence in the aroma, but offered it up nicely with a woody bitter taste at the finish...

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Magic Hat "Wooly"
Magic Hat Brewing Company - South Burlington, Vermont USA
ESB (ABV 4.5%) (IBU40)
[Suggested Glassware: Dimpled Mug]
Rating: 2.7/5.0
The pour was a clear medium amber with a large (2-3 finger) white fluffy head that mostly diminished, down to a thin puddled layer of residue and small collar with fair streaky lacing.
The aroma was very mild of a light grain malt, mild pine hops and an earthy cobweb yeast with notes of caramel, dust, a light spiciness and a just a very light hint of spruce tips.
The taste was a bit malty with a light caramel sweetness from the get go, and then became a tad bitter with a mild hoppy presence and a spicy wood taste towards the end. The flavor lasted an average time proceeding the swallow with a slightly bitter woody taste left behind to linger in the taste buds.
Mouthfeel was a little beyond light in body and dry in texture with a carbonation that was just past soft in intensity.
Overall this brew did not have a strong spruce presence in the aroma, but offered it up nicely with a woody bitter taste at the finish...
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The Hibernation Ale (English-Style Old Ale) from Great Divide Brewing company in Denver, Colorado pours out dark, ruby red in color with good clarity and is topped with just over a finger of light tan head that slowly reduces to a thin film with a good sized collar. On the nose, aromas of dark fruit, wood, earth, peat, toffee and spice. This really smells quite rustic; kind of fitting for an old ale. In the mouth, rich and creamy. Toffee flavor comes first followed by earth, dark fruit, chocolate and spicy hops towards the end. Medium bodied. Good carbonation. Thick sheets of lacing on the glass. Slightly viscous, chewy mouthfeel with a hint of creaminess. The finish is long and has a good deal of malt sweetness that is only outlasted by the spicy hoppiness.

A wonderful craft beer for winter with three GABF medals under its belt. Nice and warming with very complex flavors that assault the mouth with layer upon layer of flavor. Great après ski craft beer or for sitting outside on a cold night in front of an outdoor fireplace. You will not feel the cold. Highly recommended.

Great Divide Hibernation Ale
Great Divide Brewing Co., Denver, CO
12 ounce bottle, 8.7% ABV, Bottled on Sep 28, 2012
The Hibernation Ale (English-Style Old Ale) from Great Divide Brewing company in Denver, Colorado pours out dark, ruby red in color with good clarity and is topped with just over a finger of light tan head that slowly reduces to a thin film with a good sized collar. On the nose, aromas of dark fruit, wood, earth, peat, toffee and spice. This really smells quite rustic; kind of fitting for an old ale. In the mouth, rich and creamy. Toffee flavor comes first followed by earth, dark fruit, chocolate and spicy hops towards the end. Medium bodied. Good carbonation. Thick sheets of lacing on the glass. Slightly viscous, chewy mouthfeel with a hint of creaminess. The finish is long and has a good deal of malt sweetness that is only outlasted by the spicy hoppiness.
A wonderful craft beer for winter with three GABF medals under its belt. Nice and warming with very complex flavors that assault the mouth with layer upon layer of flavor. Great après ski craft beer or for sitting outside on a cold night in front of an outdoor fireplace. You will not feel the cold. Highly recommended.

The Snow Day Winter Ale from New Belgium Brewing Company in Fort Collins, Colorado pours out mahogany brown in color with some light getting through showing off chestnut hues. The head is large, at least two fingers tall, frothy, cream colored and slowly reduces down to a thin film with a large collar. On the nose, quite malty with aromas of caramel, dark bread, chocolate and a light grassy, herbal hop. In the mouth, smooth and slightly warming. Flavors are more malt driven than I remember from last year. I'm not sure if the recipe changed but I distinctly remember this being more hoppy in the 2011 batch. Toffee, light roasted grain, raisin, chocolate and a mild pine hop bite. Medium bodied. Moderate carbonation. Thick sheets of lacing on the glass. Slightly grainy mouthfeel. The finish was quite long with the dark fruit and roasted grain lasting the longest.

A very good winter ale but what set Snow Day Winter Ale apart last year was its robust, hoppy character which does not seem to be present this year. Nonetheless, still a solid craft beer that is probably more in tune with winter warmer guidelines. Can we have the hoppiness back for the 2013 batch? Recommended.

New Belgium Snow Day Winter Ale
New Belgium Brewing Co., Fort Collins, CO
12 ounce bottle, 6.2% ABV, Best by 10FEB13
The Snow Day Winter Ale from New Belgium Brewing Company in Fort Collins, Colorado pours out mahogany brown in color with some light getting through showing off chestnut hues. The head is large, at least two fingers tall, frothy, cream colored and slowly reduces down to a thin film with a large collar. On the nose, quite malty with aromas of caramel, dark bread, chocolate and a light grassy, herbal hop. In the mouth, smooth and slightly warming. Flavors are more malt driven than I remember from last year. I'm not sure if the recipe changed but I distinctly remember this being more hoppy in the 2011 batch. Toffee, light roasted grain, raisin, chocolate and a mild pine hop bite. Medium bodied. Moderate carbonation. Thick sheets of lacing on the glass. Slightly grainy mouthfeel. The finish was quite long with the dark fruit and roasted grain lasting the longest.
A very good winter ale but what set Snow Day Winter Ale apart last year was its robust, hoppy character which does not seem to be present this year. Nonetheless, still a solid craft beer that is probably more in tune with winter warmer guidelines. Can we have the hoppiness back for the 2013 batch? Recommended.

The pour was a clear burnt copper with an average (1-2 finger) off white fluffy head that dissipated at a normal pace, down to a thin film with a small collar and had very good sticky lacing.

The aroma was of a toasted biscuit malt, light herbal hops and an earthy yeast with notes of caramel, dark fruit (raisons and plums) and a lightly mild spiciness.

The taste was lightly sweet and malty with a hint of caramel from the onset, becoming slightly bitter sweet and a tad acidic with a touch of dark fruit and a light spicy alcohol tinge at the end. The flavor lasted an average time proceeding the swallow with a slightly bitter spicy taste left lying on the taste buds.

Mouthfeel was just under medium in body with a thin dry texture and a medium carbonation.

Overall this brew was a nice change from a lot of winter beers, possessing good malty backbone, a nice sweet fruitiness and just a smidgen of spice, giving it a really good drinkability...

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Odell "Isolation Ale"
Odell Brewing Company - Fort Collins, Colorado USA
Winter Warmer (ABV 6%) (IBU 29)
[Suggested Glassware: Lager Glass]
Rating: 3.4/5.0
The pour was a clear burnt copper with an average (1-2 finger) off white fluffy head that dissipated at a normal pace, down to a thin film with a small collar and had very good sticky lacing.
The aroma was of a toasted biscuit malt, light herbal hops and an earthy yeast with notes of caramel, dark fruit (raisons and plums) and a lightly mild spiciness.
The taste was lightly sweet and malty with a hint of caramel from the onset, becoming slightly bitter sweet and a tad acidic with a touch of dark fruit and a light spicy alcohol tinge at the end. The flavor lasted an average time proceeding the swallow with a slightly bitter spicy taste left lying on the taste buds.
Mouthfeel was just under medium in body with a thin dry texture and a medium carbonation.
Overall this brew was a nice change from a lot of winter beers, possessing good malty backbone, a nice sweet fruitiness and just a smidgen of spice, giving it a really good drinkability...
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